Undergraduate Certificate in International Development

For the 2022-2023 Academic Year this course is being taught remotely. This means there will be no face-to-face teaching and you will not need to be present in person in Cambridge. The course content will be delivered, and the learning outcomes met, through the use of video-based teaching platforms and a dedicated course Virtual Learning Environment. 

Details of the Unit start dates and assignment submission deadlines can be found on the Teaching tab. 

The course offers three termly units and a syllabus and reading and resource list for each of these units will be included in the course guide (to follow).

The course aims to:

• to give students a wider perspective of the complexities of poverty and inequality, and a way of understanding the diverse approaches to examine and manage these;
• to introduce students to the evolution of historical and theoretical ideas and practice of International Development;
• to enable students to assess critically the economic, political, social and environmental factors shaping people’s livelihoods;
• to provide an understanding of the multiple stakeholders and agendas involved in International Development.

Unit 1

Contextualising Modern Issues in Development

This unit aims to critically explore the different approaches to understanding poverty and inequality. It explains the diverse types of poverty and explores the different levels at which poverty reduction can be addressed.

What is the link between poverty and inequality?

What are the different factors that affect the success or failure in reducing poverty and inequality?

How does context matter when designing and implementing poverty reduction strategies in practice? 

Unit 2

Approaches to International & Sustainable Development

Through the use of case studies, the unit will analyse the evolution of ideas and experiences in International Development over time to provide students with an appreciation of different development perspectives, approaches, successes and failures. 

By the end of the unit students should be to understand the importance of history and context and analyse some of the critical factors that facilitate or undermine international development.  

Unit 3 

Governance, Integrity, the Problem of Economic  Crime and its Cultures

The issue of governance has been gaining importance in international development institutions’ and academics’ agendas and this unit will consider the various conceptions of governance. This includes topics such as rule of law, corruption and accountability and we will consider both formal and informal institutions, and their roles in the international aid infrastructure. We will also discuss the different players involved in international development (states, non-state actors, multilateral institutions, grassroots movements and individuals) and delve into their historical work, prevalent ideologies and power differentials. Finally the unit will focus on the relationship and differences in theoretical and practical approaches to international development concepts and programming.  

All students are expected to take an active part in the course and submit work showing evidence of learning. Your learning will be enhanced by:

• engaging with scheduled teaching sessions; 
• participating in class activities and discussion;
• undertaking reading and assignments set by the tutor;
• accessing resources and submitting assignments through the VLE.

Course Timeline

• Course (Unit 1) Start Date: Friday 7 October 2022
• Unit 1 submission deadline: Wednesday 4 January 2023
• Unit 2 start date: Week commencing January 2 2023
• Unit 2 submission deadline: Wednesday 22 March 2023
• Unit 3 start date: Week commencing 27 March 2023
• Unit 3 submission deadline: Friday 9 June 2023

Fees

The fee for this course is £3,250 and covers the course tuition.

You can pay in two ways:

• in full on enrolment by credit or debit card

• in three equal instalments (credit/debit card): the first on enrolment, with the second and third instalment being taken on 1 January and 1 April. The exact dates will be confirmed in the student’s individual booking details.

Please note your place on the course is not secured until payment is received by the Institute of Continuing Education and any necessary documentation, i.e. proof of English language proficiency.

ICE Cancellations and Refunds policy

Information on sources of funding, bursaries and Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs)

Applications are submitted online (the link to the online application form is at the top of this page).

Applications for this course can be received until midday (12 noon) on Monday 5 September 2022. If you are offered a place on the course, we will ask you to complete your booking within a limited time and to pay the fees (£3,250) or if paying by installments, the first installment of fees to secure your place.

This course will require a minimum number of students in order to run. Applicants will normally be notified one week after the application deadline if the course is not going to run and offered to transfer their application to another course or receive a refund of the fees they have paid so far (please see our ICE Cancellations and Refunds policy).